Pray for the Holy Innocents. More than ever, Souls are relinquished prematurely.
A haunting carol, The Coventry Carol, from a play in the 16th century was imagined to be sung by the mothers whose children have been murdered by Herod at the time Of Christ’s birth as related in the Gospel of Matthew. The play and the song concern the massacre of the young children of Bethlehem at the command of King Herod.
Lullay thou little tiny child,
By, by lully lullay.
O sisters, too how may we do,
For to preserve this day;
This poor youngling for whom we sing,
By by lully lullay.
Herod the king, in his raging
Charged he hath this day;
His men of might in his own sight
All young children to slay.
Then woe is me, poor child for thee
And ever mourn and say;
For thy parting, no say nor sing
By by lully lullay